CleanMPG Reviews the 2013 Mazda CX-5

Quite simply the most affordable and highest fuel economy compact crossover available in all of North America.
Click here to read the entire review

Wayne- enjoyed reading this
I stopped in at the Ford Dealership today and talked with the salesman who sold me my 2 Escapes- we visited- I wanted him to ride with me as I wanted him to see this UG and the MPG I get

Told him "call me when you get in an AWD 2013 Mazda CX-5"

Hi Shadescape:
Excellent call! While the new 2013 Escape is a wonderful and well-built daily driver, it does not have nearly the capability of the CX-5. Especially with that "to die for" slick shifting 6-speed stick

I have never been so excited for an automobile manufacturer. I am thankful for the Hyundai Accent, Elantra and Sonata Hybrid, the Ford Fusion Hybrid and EcoBoost program in the LD F-Series and the Toyota Prius family but to see a Zoom-Zoom company arrive on the scene with a technology that still provides the patented fun to drive feel at an affordable price plus fuel economy capability that the CX-5 does has really changed my perspective. While struggling, Mazda has one thing that the rest do not. Fun to Drive and one heck of an engine technology to match. And this is the SKYACTIV-G! Just wait until we get our hands on the SKYACTIV-D at some point in the near future. That thing could be downright scary when let loose out on the Interstate

Wayne

thanks Wayne- this dealership is a pretty good all arround dealership-

George thinks he has me pegged for a new vehicle-

A CX5 FWD observation ...

US SkyActiv-G

4 cyl, 2.0 L, Manual 6-spd, Regular Gasoline, SIDI
EPA 29 mpg(US) combined 32.1 mpg(US) USER AVERAGE (sample 1)

4 cyl, 2.0 L, Automatic (S6), Regular Gasoline SIDI
EPA 29 mpg(US) combined 33.3 mpg(US) USER AVERAGE (sample 1)
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/mpg/MPG.d...model=CX-5 2WD


US SkyActiv-D
not MT or AT available in the US ... yet

Notice that there is almost no difference (<1.2 mpg) between US SkyActiv-G MT and AT.



EU SkyActiv-G

2.0 SE-L MT 5dr Estate
VCA 47.1 mpg(Imp) combined

2.0 SE-L AT 5dr Estate
No AT available according Mazda UK website

However ....

EU SkyActiv-D

2.2d SE-L 5dr MT Estate
VCA 61.4 mpg(Imp) combined
http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/...E-L-5dr-Estate

2.2d SE-L 5dr Auto Estate
VCA 53.3 mpg(Imp) combined
http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/...dr-Auto-Estate


Notice the large difference (~8.2 mpg) between EU SkyActiv-D AT and MT.

Apparently there is a significantly lower (-13%) efficiency for the EU diesel AUTO TRANSMISSION compared to their EU diesel MANUAL TRANSMISSION for the CX5.

Disturbing ... discovery.

It may be related to the high SkyActiv-D torque 150ps with 380Nm torque or 175ps with 420Nm compared to the gasoline 165ps with 210Nm torque???

See if ya'll can figure this one out ...

Found something interesting about the CX5 SkyAciv-G AT Touring yesterday ....

Did a short test drive and noticed wind noise was surprisingly low under 50 mph.

Returned to the dealership and looked over the exterior.

I noticed that the front/headlight exterior clear cover is NOT a continuous smooth arc. I discovered a slight "rib?fin" at about 45o off vertical on the outboard surface maybe between 12 and 18 mm outside a projected smooth curve at its' highest point (a smooth crease if you will).

It puzzled me! I have never seen anything like that before ... anywhere in automotives that I can remember.

Looking at a sightline down the protruding ridge seems to line up across the fender contour with the passenger and driver side mirrors.

I am speculating that its' purpose is to set up air flow to minimize turbulance arround the side mirrors ... hence lower wind noise, AND DRAG, at highway speeds.

IF ... anyone has access to a CX5 .... please double check my observations and see if turbulance (and noise) arround the drver's side mirror is lower than typically experienced with tradional designs.

IF valid ... these Mazda DESIGN ENGINEERS must be double checking every detail to minimize drag.

IF anyone has a better idea ... let us know.

Good review, but why do you keep calling it SKYATIV (minus the C)?

Hi CM:

I corrected 7 miscues and they are due to a lack of typing ability, lack of an assignment editor, lack of a news editor, lack of a review editor, lack of a copy editor and no managing editor other than me

Thanks for the heads up.

Wayne

Hello all. New to the forums here. Came across this thread since I have been very interested in Mazda's new SkyActiv engine offerings, especially any diesel options which may be coming to the US.

Just wanted to say that I honestly hope the Mazda is able to expand the small engine diesel market in the US so that there are more options than only VW. It would be great if we in the US were indeed offered a diesel CX-5 with high mpg, moderate storage space and more ground clearance than a standard passenger vehicle. Looking around the web, I am under the opinion there is enough interest in this type of vehicle for reasonable sales in the US.

Maybe if enough email and phone requests are made with Mazda for a US diesel CX-5, their product planning team and execs will catch wind of it. I just made one myself but got the same response as others saying there are plans but no definite release dates. I have definitely been very satisfied with my 2003 Mazda P5 but have been thinking about an upgrade and would like to stick with Mazda.

Anyone have any insider info on the SkyActiv-D engines coming to the US?

Hi Jbenzene:

Welcome to CleanMPG!

I cannot say much other than the new 2014 Mazda6 with the SKYACTIV-D is “slated” for the US. Whether it actually arrives or arrives without the more robust emissions equipment is still in play. We have been in touch with Mazda a number of times but a drive will probably not occur until spring of 2013 at the earliest. By that time, everyone will know what Mazda’s plans are for the SKYATIV-D in North America. The turbo diesel fits so well into both the all-new 6 and the CX-5 story that I hope it makes it in both. And at a price that most can afford too of course.

Reliability, great handling, great looking interior/exterior along with a fuel saving turbo diesel would make the 6 and CX-5 very tough to overlook no matter what else you were considering. SKYACTIV-G makes it an admirable contender. SKYACTIV-D would make them (either the 6 or CX-5) the force to be reckoned with in their particular segments.

Wayne

Wayne:

Thanks for the response. I am glad to hear that there is interest in bringing new diesel technology to the States. I did see on some reports that the diesel engine is more likely to go in the new Mazda6 before the CX-5.

If Mazda were to release a SkyActiv-D Mazda6 wagon, that would be a car I would be very interested in also. It seems that consumers in the US miss out on many great cars, especially diesel and wagons.